Briarcliff's Chilmark Plan Moving Forward

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. – The Village of Briarcliff Manor Board of Trustees agreed Wednesday night to consider approval of a special use permit for the Chilmark Shopping Center at its next meeting.

The board held a public hearing on the issuance of a special use permit Wednesday night that included a presentation from Connecticut-based developer Urstadt Biddle, the company that has proposed placing a 13,000-square foot CVS pharmacy in the shopping center along Pleasantville Road. The board’s consideration was limited to whether Urstadt Biddle met the required 4.5 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor area, as required by village code.

Mayor William Vescio said he understood the larger scope and questions associated with the project, but said the board was only deciding on whether Urstadt Biddle met special use permit requirements and no decisions was being made on the entire plan.

“What this board had suggested is that they take a couple of parking spaces away,” Vescio said Wednesday night in reference to suggestions made at previous meetings. “That’s the change this board has looked at. The rest of it, as far as we’re concerned, is all planning board issues.”

The board also adjourned the public hearing until the board’s next regular meeting March 21.

While no residents questioned the special use permit application or parking issues, residents did question the safety of the project and its impact on future development in the Briarcliff area.

“I use the Chilmark Shopping Center a lot,” said resident Jenny Earl, adding that she rides a scooter to the area. “I am concerned about the traffic and the safety issue for me. I would hate to not be able to use the shopping center.”

Resident Emily Sack questioned whether the project as a whole would be good for the Briarcliff community.

“I don’t know about the parking issues but I’m concerned about the physical environment,” she said. “I want you all to remember that the communities of Briarcliff and Ossining are going to live with the decisions that are made about Chilmark for decades to come.” 

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